rasp Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun uttering in an irritated tone
    rasping.
  2. noun a coarse file with sharp pointed projections
    wood file.
  3. verb scrape with a rasp
  4. verb utter in a grating voice

WordNet

Rasp transitive verb
Etymology
OF. rasper, F. râper, to scrape, grate, rasp, fr. OHG. rasp&omac;n to scrape together, to collect, probably akin to E. rap. Cf. Rap to snatch.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rasped ; present participle & verbal noun Rasping
Definitions
  1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder.
  2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
Rasp noun
Etymology
OE. raspe, OF. raspe, F. râpe. See Rasp, v.
Definitions
  1. A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file.
  2. The raspberry. Obs. "Set sorrel amongst rasps, and the rasps will be smaller." Bacon.

Webster 1913